What is Housing First? Ideas Behind Housing First 9/21/16

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1 Ohio Balance of State Continuum of Care Implementing Housing First Practices in Ohio BoSCoC Homeless Assistance Programs Erica Mulryan, CoC Director, Cynthia Tindongan, Coordinated Entry Specialist Housing First Presentation Overview Housing First and the Ohio BoSCoC Homeless Program Standards Housing First and Federal Funding Housing First Overview Key elements of Housing First Housing First Implementation by Project Type Overcoming Challenges Lessons Learned 2 Housing First and Ohio BoSCoC Homeless Program Standards HUD s CoC Program requires development of program standards Applicable to CoC and ESG funded projects (includes HCRP grantees) Ohio BoSCoC Homeless Program Standards Released in January 2016 Require Housing First practices by Jan Housing First and Federal Funding US Dept of HUD encourages and rewards implementation of Housing First practices via the CoC Competition US Interagency Council on Homelessness, VA, and HUD require system-wide Housing First orientation as part of federal criteria to end Veteran homelessness What is Housing First? Housing First is a model of housing assistance that centers on providing people experiencing homelessness with permanent housing quickly, with no pre-conditions or service participation requirements, while providing the supports needed to maintain housing. Ideas Behind Housing First Homelessness can be solved with limited assistance Everyone is ready for housing Other needs are best addressed when people are in their own housing Self-determination, dignity, and respect 5 6 1

2 Housing First Elements Focus on housing crisis & rapid intervention when person is homeless or at imminent risk Low barriers to program entry Assistance and acceptance regardless of sobriety, substance use, lack of income, etc Housing First Elements Voluntary supportive services Driven by client self-determination and individualized goal planning Program compliance not a requirement for housing placement or ongoing tenancy Housing First Elements Housing focused assistance Individualized services to help maintain housing stability Participants expected to actively work on their housing plan along with services staff Other personal issues only addressed after housing obtained, and only as client desires What Housing First Isn t Housing First is NOT: A requirement to serve people in a congregate facility who serve a risk to other residents or staff An approach that allows program participants to avoid engaging in basic case management related to their housing plan and assessment for ongoing assistance What Housing First Isn t Housing First is NOT: An approach that allows program participants to engage in illegal activities in the facility or housing unit assisted by the program System-Wide Housing First Orientation Ohio BoSCoC Homeless Program Standards require housing first implementation in all project types Homelessness prevention Emergency shelter Transitional housing Rapid re-housing Permanent supportive housing 2

3 Housing First: Homelessness Prevention Projects At program entry No barriers to entry, including no income requirement greater urgency and/or more severe needs In program Housing focused Individualized assistance and housing plans Housing First: Homelessness Prevention Projects In program Individualized assistance and housing plans Financial assistance based on needs of households; NO policy that only allows, for example, payment of one month rent Housing First: Emergency Shelters At program entry No barriers to entry Exceptions related to safety No prohibitions on returns to shelter for past residents No drug testing/sobriety requirement Housing First: Emergency Shelters In program Voluntary supportive services Housing focused Individualized assistance and housing plans Participants are expected to actively work on their housing plan Housing First: Transitional Housing Create a culture around housing focused assistance Permanent housing is primary focus from the start, regardless of other personal issues or concerns Everyone has a housing plan Housing First: Transitional Housing At program entry No barriers to entry greater needs Eg, those who seem unlikely to resolve their homelessness without more assistance 3

4 Housing First: Transitional Housing In program Voluntary supportive services Housing focused Participants move to permanent housing when they choose (mostly) Individualized assistance and housing plans Participants are expected to actively work on their housing plan Housing First: Rapid Re-housing At program entry No barriers to entry, including income requirements more severe needs In program Housing focused Individualized assistance and housing plans Financial assistance based on needs of households; NO policy that only allows, for example, payment of one month rent Housing First: Permanent Supportive Housing At program entry No barriers to entry longer histories of homelessness and greater service needs Housing First: Permanent Supportive Housing In program Voluntary supportive services Compliance with treatment/service plans is NOT required for ongoing tenancy Housing focused Participants have a choice in identifying their unit Housing First: Challenging Assumptions Housing stability can be achieved for households even if they appear not to be housing ready or have little income Most low income households pay more than 50% of income for housing and never become homeless Challenges Don t be afraid to fail Strive to serve households with greatest barriers/needs Some households will lose their housing, but the majority will not Work to prevent returns to homelessness Change your plans/approach if a household returns 4

5 Challenges Don t be afraid to fail Negotiate realistic project goals with funders/ partners Challenges Housing First is not housing only Requires partnerships across homeless system and providers Real barriers need real discussions Have the difficult discussions with participants and partners Housing First: Lessons Learned Shift to Housing First philosophy Across your entire program and agency Take chances and build on successes to educate colleagues/staff Continual Housing First focus Ongoing training is necessary Housing First: Lessons Learned Formal Implementation Align all formal and informal program documents with Housing First Client rules Policies and Procedures Intake forms and processes Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio 175 S. Third St. - Suite 250 Columbus, Ohio Phone Fax ericamulryan@cohhio.org cynthiatindongan@cohhio.org 5